Music: It’s Tubbs…what more do you need to know. A different track selection this time. But Tubbs in full flow, unstoppable.

Vinyl: UK original pressing Fontana SFJL 911

The Mole Jazz 1981 reissue was Blogged previously on 31st December 2011, but now an update…

At last! A 1960s Fontana original! It is a little worse for wear, but the sound is sooo much superior to what now seems a comparatively feeble Mole Jazz reissue from the 1980s. And that great cover.

Lots of wear around those spindle holes, a much played much-loved record, unfortunately passing through the hands of owners that played but did not take care of their records. These would be the self-same people who welcomed the move to CD to get away from the scratches caused by their lack of care in handling.

Significant spindle wear.

Country code 420 for UK, indicates pressing by Philips

Full liner notes not included on the Mole Jazz reissue

Collectors Corner

Source: eBay Sellers Grading: Vinyl: VG minus. Cover VG

I wouldn’t normally consider a VG minus – do I look like the tramp rooting around in rubbish bins? I bought this record for the cover, thinking to provide a superior home for my Mole Jazz reissue, which has a “rubbish cover“.Not the first time I have looked to upgrade to a better cover. This one shouted a 27 shilling 11 pence price sticker. Oh those were the days, records for under a pound. The large price sticker came off with a little persistence, and a combination of lighter fuel and WD40, which the laminated cover tolerated.

The eBay seller confessed to all manner of problems, for the most part over-egging it though some of the scratches are feelable and sound, though not for any great length of time. Only one rival bargain hunter was not put off, but it was mine, for less than a tenner. For the cover. And what do you know. She sounds great. Those defects I can live with. I’d rather the fresh quality sound with the odd scratch than a dull plastic-sounding reissue with no scratches. Despite the good reputation of the people behind the 1980’s Mole Jazz releases – Nimbus as I recall, the 1960s Fontana is vastly superior. Now why aren’t I surprised?

The original Fontana is indeed fairly “rare”, and the last EX condition I bid on went for three figures, so a 90% discount for condition seems a reasonable exchange. Plus of course I get the cover, hehe. Now what am I bid for this 27’11 price sticker?

UPDATE March 2013

The above record was upgraded to an EX/EX copy last year. Letters of sympathy no longer necessary.

Tubbys personal copy. There is no answer to that, Simon, game set and match. Glad just to have a piece of it. You possibly havent caught up with the fate of my copy of Down in the Village. Its a sad story, have a hanky ready:

Hi and welcome. There are two schools of thought about stickers – the first, that they are a genuine part of the historical artefact, to be treasured, and the other, to which I belong, is be rid of them. The only reason for not getting rid of them, I think, is the risk of damage to the cover. I’ve done that before now. This one I found very intrusive, so I decided it had to go. A genuine Sixties enthusiast would probably have kept it.